Defence Secretary John Healey said on Sunday that the government is working to remove Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s remaining honorary military rank of vice admiral, acting on the King’s request. He told BBC television the Ministry of Defence is being guided by the monarch’s judgement and that the process is underway.
The statement follows Buckingham Palace’s announcement on Thursday 30 October that the King has initiated a formal process to remove Andrew’s style, titles and honours. The Palace said he will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and that formal notice has been served to surrender the lease on Royal Lodge.
Andrew retained the honorary rank of vice admiral after relinquishing other military posts in 2022; the rank was conferred on his 55th birthday in 2015. He subsequently asked in 2020 to defer a customary promotion to admiral that would have coincided with his 60th birthday.
ITV News explains that the titles process involves a Royal Warrant sent by the King to the Lord Chancellor, directing the Crown Office to prepare Letters Patent, which are then sealed and published. Officials have opted for a non‑legislative route, avoiding the need for an Act of Parliament.
Parliament’s Library notes that Letters Patent are legal instruments authorised by the monarch and sealed via the Crown Office; it also sets out that the Crown Office maintains the Roll of the Peerage, which is published by the College of Arms. These points clarify why both the Palace and government departments are engaged.
On the military side, Mr Healey said the department will continue to take its lead from the King. He did not set a timetable and declined to say whether Andrew will retain the right to wear campaign and long‑service medals; those decisions rest with the sovereign and protocol advisers.
Andrew’s honorary status does not alter his service record. He served for 22 years in the Royal Navy, flew as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands conflict, and commanded the mine countermeasures vessel HMS Cottesmore from 1993 to 1994.
The Palace’s 30 October announcement also confirmed the removal of senior honours, and media briefings stated that Andrew’s name has been taken off the official Roll of the Peerage. He continues to deny all allegations connected to Jeffrey Epstein; a related US civil case was settled in 2022 without admission of liability.
Practical effects will be most visible at ceremonial events. Uniform wear by non‑working royals already requires explicit permission; in recent years Andrew has typically appeared in morning dress, with limited exceptions granted by the sovereign for vigils. That practice provides a guide to what follows.
The reclassification of titles has also had knock‑on effects across the Commonwealth. Andrew’s overseas honorary roles were ended in 2022, including with New Zealand’s logistic regiment, which ceased use of the “Duke of York’s Own” appellation after his affiliations were removed.
Next steps are administrative. The MoD will finalise the revocation of the vice admiral status once formalities are completed, while the Crown Office continues the documentation associated with the Palace’s 30 October decision. ITV reports Andrew is expected to leave Royal Lodge after Christmas, moving to alternative accommodation funded privately by the King.